RTR Technologies recently completed a national bus study requested by The Highway and Border Policy, directorate of Transport Canada. Research was performed on current cross-border passenger bus services between Canada and United States.   The purpose of the project was to identify any existing constraints that may be affecting the efficiency and flow of bi-national business and cross-border tourism and to identify opportunities to improve efficiency and competitiveness.

The study focused on the seven busiest crossings along the U.S. - Canadian border.   RTR conducted surveys with key stakeholder organizations, which included national bus companies in Canada and the U.S., transport agencies (provincial, state, and federal) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).  

Key components of the project included;

• A detailed overview of scheduled and chartered bus companies and transportation services for passengers across the Canada - U.S. border.
• Research on the number of buses crossing the border, high-volume crossings and make-up of the buses and general operations.
• Review of the selected border crossings’ existing infrastructure and processing procedures for buses and bus passengers.
• Analysis of the current challenges faced by bus operators and passengers in regards to cross-border travel.

Assessment of potential areas for improvement and possible uses of technologies for the bus transportation industry and custom border agencies to facilitate transportation, bus scheduling, and processing across the Canada - U.S. border.